Palestinians fight for their lives and their stolen lands

[Anthea]

In Gaza last year IOF destroyed:

815 mosques
19 cemeteries
3 churches

The genocide in Gaza did not even spare religious heritage with mosques, cemeteries, and churches coming under Israeli attack.

Palestinian officials have reported severe damage and destruction affecting religious landmarks across the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank as a result of Israeli aggression. According to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, nearly 1,000 mosques in Gaza suffered extensive damage in 2024, with 815 completely demolished and 151 sustaining partial damage.

The assault on religious heritage extended beyond mosques, as 19 cemeteries and three churches in Gaza were also devastated during the genocidal campaign. In the West Bank, 20 mosques were reportedly targeted, adding to the broader impact on Palestinian religious and cultural sites.

The ministry also detailed increased tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds, where 256 settler-led incursions were recorded throughout the year. During the Hanukkah holiday in late December, over 2,500 settlers stormed the mosque's grounds, further straining an already volatile situation.

The destruction comes amid "Israel's" genocidal campaign which has ravaged Gaza since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 45,800 people, predominantly women and children. The scale of the violence has drawn international condemnation and legal scrutiny.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, "Israel" faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza.

Latest developments

International observers are warning of an escalating humanitarian catastrophe amid Israel's impending ban on UNRWA operations.

UNRWA's senior emergency officer Louise Wateridge on Sunday warned that social order in Gaza is put at further risk if "Israel" proceeds with its plans to end the operations of the agency.

Meanwhile, on the global stage, Colombia has secured a seat for the first time on the United Nations Human Rights Council, a key body responsible for safeguarding human rights worldwide.

Following the announcement, Colombian President Gustavo Petro affirmed his administration’s commitment to confronting pressing human rights issues. In a statement on X, Petro emphasized that Colombia’s position on the systematic human rights violations in Palestine will remain "clear and resolute."

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Attack on Gaza aid convoy

The World Food programme demands improved security conditions to ensure humanitarian aid operations can continue unimpeded

The US World Food Programme (WFP) has strongly condemned an incident in which Israeli forces fired on one of its aid convoys in Gaza.

The attack occurred on Sunday when a convoy of three vehicles transporting eight staff members from central Gaza to Gaza City was struck by 16 bullets near the Wadi Gaza checkpoint

Although no injuries were reported, the convoy was immobilized. According to WFP, the vehicles were clearly marked and had received prior security clearance from Israeli authorities.

"The World Food Programme (WFP) strongly condemns the horrifying incident on January 5," the agency said in a statement. "This unacceptable event is just the latest example of the complex and dangerous working environment that WFP and other agencies are operating in today."

WFP urged for improved security conditions to ensure humanitarian aid operations can continue unimpeded. The Israeli military has not issued a response to the allegations.

The aggression has reignited concerns about the safety of aid workers in Gaza, where international agencies have long accused Israeli forces of obstructing humanitarian efforts.

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, addressed the WFP's statement in a tweet, highlighting the dangers faced by aid workers.

Since the start of the genocide, at least 333 humanitarian workers have been killed in Israeli attacks, marking the deadliest year on record for such personnel

UNRWA has experienced particularly devastating losses, with 258 staff members killed.

The agency is currently facing the possibility of a complete ban imposed by the occupation authorities.

Louise Wateridge, UNRWA's senior emergency officer, warned on Sunday that social order in Gaza is put at further risk if Israel proceeds with its plans to ban the UNRWA.

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[Anthea]

Propaganda hiding reality of Gaza genocide
US director Michael Moore

Michael Moore asserts that "no filmmaker, writer, or artist should ever have to tell the story of their own extermination."

Michael Moore, an American director and producer, has accused strong marketing efforts of concealing the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

Moore addressed the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the film From Ground Zero, which was made by Palestinian filmmakers Aws Al-Banna, Ahmed Al-Danf, Basil Al-Maqousi, and Mustafa Al-Nabih.

The film, which was distributed in the United States, has 22 short films ranging from documentary to drama, action, and animation.

In an X post, the director emphasized that “no filmmaker, writer, or artist should ever have to tell the story of their own extermination," detailing how Palestinian filmmakers found a way to film in the last year using the tools at their disposal.

He called the very existence of the work a "cinematic miracle", urging the public to see the production.

Moore questioned media silence on his website, asserting that the tales in Gaza are not being told on daily news channels, since "military leaders prohibit access so that journalists and filmmakers cannot bring us the truth."

The director noted that despite being forced to fund the genocide as Americans, "we are not allowed to witness what Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have declared to be a genocide and an ethnic cleansing — war crimes committed every day in our name."

He noted that instead, the public is a victim of a "powerful propaganda campaign" aimed at dehumanizing the 5 million people in the occupied Palestinian territories who are imprisoned behind walls and barbed wire, forced to starve, with "nearly every hospital and school in Gaza bombed to smithereens and half of the territory's homes reduced to rubble."

Revealing the production is one of 15 nominees for Best International Feature Film at the 2017 97th Academy Awards, Moore published the film's US screening locations and urged people to view it, vowing that it will not be disappointing.

Israel $150m shapes intl. perception

Israel has approved an additional $150 million for its 2025 propaganda budget, aiming to influence international perceptions regarding its war on Gaza, the Middle East Monitor news website reported last week.

The website pointed out that this significant 20-fold increase in funding is intended to reinforce Tel Aviv's narrative, presenting its war on the besieged enclave as justified, while framing the Palestinian Resistance as “anti-Semitic” and equating it to “Nazi” terrorism.

The Middle East Monitor added that the decision also seeks to amplify Islamophobic rhetoric in European nations by likening the Palestinian struggle to extremist groups like ISIS.

According to the news website, the broader objective of these efforts is to erode international sympathy for the Palestinian cause and bolster support for "Israel’s" crimes in Gaza.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, addressing the expanded budget, stated that “Israeli propaganda efforts and the war of consciousness have not received the critical and life-saving resources and tools they require for decades.”

Israeli propaganda, often referred to by critics as hasbara, involves efforts by the Israeli government, advocacy groups, and private organizations to shape perceptions of Israel, its policies, and its actions globally. These campaigns aim to promote a favorable image of Israel and influence public opinion and policy decisions in other countries.

Among the key components of Israeli propaganda are responding to accusations regarding its treatment of Palestinians, military actions, or settlement policies by framing them as defensive measures against terrorism or existential threats. It portrays Palestinians or critics as biased, anti-Semitic, or aligned with extremist ideologies, and monitors and discreds organizations or individuals critical of "Israel’s" policies.

Israel employs social media campaigns to amplify pro-"Israel" narratives, often targeting young audiences, as well as training "digital warriors" or grassroots activists to advocate for "Israel" online and leveraging partnerships with influencers and celebrities to promote "Israel’s" image.

It also funds initiatives like trips for journalists, students, and politicians to "Israel" to grow sympathy for its perspective. Critics warn that Israeli propaganda detracts attention from ongoing apartheid, occupation, and violence in Palestinian territories.

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UK MPs condemn war crimes silence

MP John McDonnell criticizes Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely for her controversial remarks, particularly her support for Greater Israel and her refusal to acknowledge a Palestinian state

British lawmakers have strongly criticized the Keir Starmer government for its stance on the dire humanitarian condition in the Gaza Strip, warning that silence in the face of the brutal crimes of the Zionist regime is tantamount to complicity in genocide and the regime’s illegal actions against the Palestinian people.

One British lawmaker called for Israel's economic and military isolation to push the occupation entity toward a negotiated settlement, suggesting that the Israeli ambassador to the UK should be expelled, Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.

Independent MP John McDonnell highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly exacerbated by harsh winter conditions.

"We've witnessed over the Christmas period when we're celebrating with our families, the scenes of children starving and freezing to death as a result of Israeli actions,” he stated

Addressing the House of Commons on Tuesday, McDonnell emphasized that the only viable solution in the past had been the "total isolation of a country" both economically and militarily to prevent the kind of war crimes "Israel" is accused of committing.

"I think this Government could take a leading role in that isolation of Israel to bring it some form of negotiated settlement," he indicated.

McDonnell also criticized the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, for her controversial remarks, particularly her support for Greater Israel and her refusal to acknowledge a Palestinian state.

"We have an Israeli ambassador who’s an advocate of Greater Israel, refuses to recognize the Palestinian state, defies all the UN resolutions that have been passed about how we can secure that peace, and she still remains in this country. Why aren’t we expelling the Israeli ambassador," he questioned

Hotovely has caused anger on several occasions since October 7, 2023, such as denying there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and claiming that the Israeli military was not bombing civilians in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

On Wednesday, Labour Party MP Zarah Sultana expressed her support for McDonnell's call to expel the Israeli ambassador, writing on X, "I agree Expel the Israeli Ambassador NOW."

The House of Commons meeting began with an urgent question from Layla Moran, a representative of the Liberal Democrat Party, who narrated heartbreaking stories about the situation of the people of Gaza and called for decisive action by the British government.

In response, Hamish Falconer, the British Deputy Foreign Secretary, while condemning Israel’s policies, explained the government’s alleged measures to provide aid; however, many MPs considered these measures “insufficient” and “late.”

Referring to the critical situation in northern Gaza, Moran emphasized that nearly 46,000 people have been killed and more than 2.3 million Gazans are at risk of famine.

“We all know the statistics, But let’s go beyond the numbers and listen to a human story,” she said and then moved to narrate the story of a surgeon whose family was trapped in the Jabalia refugee camp and then targeted by a drone strike

“What part of international law justifies this massacre? Where is the justice?” she asked while her voice was trembling.

Falconer acknowledged that the situation in Gaza was critical and “Israel must address it urgently” and claimed that his government was working with international allies to get humanitarian aid into Gaza.

However, many MPs, including Emily Thornberry, chair of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, considered the government’s actions insufficient. “We have heard from witnesses, time and again, that the British government could have done more, but that it was either too little or too late.”

Meanwhile, Labour MP Ebtisam Mohammed, referring to reports of the Israeli army forcibly evicting residents of northern Gaza, described the measures as “ethnic cleansing” and called on the government to take a firm stance on the issue

“We are watching ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the world remains silent. Does the UK government recognize this?” she asked.

Another point of contention at the meeting was British arms exports to "Israel".

“Is the government prepared to stop arms sales to Israel?” asked Callum Miller, a spokesman for the Liberal Democrats.

“We will never allow weapons sold by the UK to be used to violate international law,” Falconer said despite knowing Britain’s incomplete measures to restrict arms exports to the Zionist regime.

UK partially suspends arms exports to Israel

In early September, the UK government announced it would suspend certain arms exports to "Israel", citing a "clear risk" that these exports could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.

At the time, Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed Parliament that, following a review by his department regarding Israel's conduct in its war on Gaza, the UK would halt 30 out of 350 arms export licenses.

He indicated that the partial suspension pertains to items that could be utilized in the ongoing war, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.

However, the suspension does not cover components for "Israel's" advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets, Lammy clarified.

He emphasized that the suspension was "not a determination of innocence or guilt" and would be kept under continuous review.

"We have not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law," Lammy said.

He also reiterated Britain’s support for Israel to defend itself and assured that the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel’s security.

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[Anthea]

Pope Francis condemns Israel's actions

In his address, the pope condemned the bombing of civilians, referencing the dire conditions in Gaza where electricity is scarce, and winter cold has claimed lives

Pope Francis on Thursday intensified his criticism of Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza, describing the humanitarian crisis in the sector as "very serious and shameful" during an annual address to Vatican-accredited diplomats on Thursday. The remarks were delivered on his behalf by an aide, as the 88-year-old pontiff recovers from a cold.

In his address, the pope condemned the bombing of civilians, referencing the dire conditions in Gaza where electricity is scarce, and winter cold has claimed lives. "We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians," the speech read. "We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a country's energy network has been hit."

The address, which is often referred to as the pope's "state of the world" speech, included a wide range of global concerns. Francis also condemned anti-Semitism, calling the rise of anti-Semitic groups "a source of deep concern," and urged an end to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, which has caused widespread devastation and loss of life.

"My wish for the year 2025 is that the entire international community will work above all to end the conflict that, for almost three years now, has caused so much bloodshed," the pope said, referring to the Ukraine war. He also highlighted other global conflicts in countries such as Sudan, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Nicaragua.

The pope's remarks follow a recent escalation in his criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, including a suggestion that the international community examine whether the campaign against Hamas could constitute genocide. This statement provoked backlash, with an Israeli minister publicly denouncing the pope's comments in December.

Beyond addressing conflicts, Francis reiterated his calls for urgent action on climate change and expressed concerns about the spread of misinformation through social media.

Pope's plea for peace

The pope has consistently advocated for a ceasefire in the embattled Strip. Reflecting on the scale of the ongoing genocide, he remarked that the war has become "too much."

In his annual Christmas message last month, Pope Francis urged for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He expressed his concern for the Christian communities in the region, particularly in Gaza, where conditions have deteriorated significantly.

"I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war," he said.

The pontiff extended his plea for peace to Sudan, which has been gripped by a brutal civil war for nearly two years, leaving millions at risk of famine.

"May the Son of the Most High sustain the efforts of the international community to facilitate access to humanitarian aid for the civilian population of Sudan and to initiate new negotiations for a ceasefire," he said.

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Palestinians dig trenches to shelter

from cold and airstrikes

"If an explosion happened around us and the soil collapsed, this shelter would become our grave," Palestinian father Tayseer said

As temperatures plunge and heavy rains batter war-torn central Gaza, displaced families are resorting to desperate measures to survive. In Deir el-Balah, Tayseer Obaid, a Palestinian father, has dug an underground shelter for his family, attempting to create a safer and more comfortable space amidst the chaos.

Speaking to AFP, Obaid described how he began digging into the clay soil to expand their limited living area. "I had an idea to dig into the ground to expand the space as it was very limited," he explained.

Over time, he dug nearly two meters deep, adding mattresses for comfort and using flour sacks filled with sand to pave the entry and prevent mud from accumulating. Despite these efforts, he acknowledges the risks, saying, "If an explosion happened around us and the soil collapsed, this shelter would become our grave."

The war, now in its 14th month, has displaced nearly all of Gaza's 2.4 million residents. According to UNOSAT, 66% of the territory's buildings have been damaged or destroyed by relentless airstrikes. With construction materials scarce due to the complete blockade, displaced families are forced to rely on improvised shelters in overcrowded camps

The situation has been further exacerbated by freezing winter weather.

On Thursday, the UN's Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) reported the tragic deaths of eight newborns from hypothermia and 74 children succumbing to the brutal conditions.

"We enter this New Year carrying the same horrors as the last -- there's been no progress and no solace. Children are now freezing to death," said UNRWA spokeswoman Louise Wateridge.

Since the start of the war, at least 46,537 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, have been killed, according to figures from Gaza's health ministry. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with no end to the suffering in sight.

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[Anthea]

Israeli consumes 11% of Gaza amid expansion

The IOF continue destroying developed and agricultural land in Gaza to establish the Netzarim corridor

Since December 2024, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have expanded the Netzarim Axis in Gaza to a width of seven kilometers, destroying and wiping off at least 40 squared kilometers of agricultural and industrialized Palestinian land, a study by Palestine maps revealed.

The Netzarim expansion extended to 2025, stretching to new areas, particularly the al-Zaytoun and Tal al-Hawa neighborhoods, as well as the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps. In order to achieve that, the IOF obliterated the agricultural and developed areas between al-Zaytoun and Wadi Gaza, including the towns of Juhr al-Deek, al-Mushraqa, Sheikh Ajleen, and al-Zahraa City.

These also include Gaza's industrial park, power plant, main landfill, and wastewater treatment plant.

The Netzarim Axis currently takes up 11% of Gaza's land, which has been made possible by the erasure of tens of thousands of dunams of agricultural land, including ancient citrus and olive groves.

16% of Gaza land to be taken by Israel

In March, an analysis by Adi Ben-Nun, a Hebrew University geography professor, said Israel plans to lay its hands on 16% of Gaza's territory to establish a “buffer zone".

Construction of the zone has already begun, per the professor, which naturally will involve the demolishing of Palestinian homes and agriculture to make space for the 1-kilometer (0.6 miles) wide zone.

Israeli officials previously refused to comment on how wide the buffer would be, but the former head of Israeli military intelligence, Amos Yadlin, said he expected Israel would enforce a "perimeter" of 500 meters to 1km inside Gaza.

Moreover, Israel had bombed factories, warehouses, and civilian infrastructure within the potential buffer zone. Some of the buildings had been deliberately mined by Combat Engineering units, in preparation to demolish the residential bloc

The surface seems to be for a buffer zone, but the intent may be deeper than that, as many ministers of the occupation have called for building more settlements, according to The Wall Street Journal.

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[Anthea]

Israeli attacks caused 55%
of global civilian deaths in 2024

A study reports that 61,353 civilians were killed or wounded in 2024, marking a 67% increase compared to the previous year

An annual study revealed that civilian casualties from bombing or other explosive violence have reached their highest global levels in over a decade, driven by intense bombings in Gaza and Lebanon and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The monitoring group "Action on Armed Violence" (AOAV) reported that 61,353 civilians were killed or injured in 2024, a 67% increase from the previous year. This is the highest toll recorded since the group started its surveys in 2010.

Israeli attacks accounted for 55% of the total civilian deaths and injuries recorded in 2024, making them the leading cause

The research also highlighted significant conflicts in Sudan and Myanmar, which together accounted for 8% of the total casualties.

The AOAV bases its statistics on English-language reports of explosive violence worldwide, which likely underreport the true number of civilian casualties due to the limitations of media coverage in a single language.

The number of civilians reported killed worldwide rose by 51%, while injuries increased by 81%. Additionally, the study observed a 26% rise in deadly and severe incidents.

Gaza was the most affected region, making up 39% of the total casualties reported, followed by Ukraine and Lebanon. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 23,600 people were killed in Gaza in 2024, indicating that media reports likely understate the true toll.

Gaza most destructive, fatal conflict

In December last year, a UK-based war monitor labeled Israel's assault against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since October of last year as the "most destructive and fatal conflict" in recent history.

According to an Airwars report, "By almost every metric, the harm to civilians from the first month of the Israeli campaign in Gaza is incomparable with any 21st-century air campaign."

The war Israel has waged on Gaza "is by far the most intense, destructive, and fatal conflict for civilians that Airwars has ever documented."

According to the London, UK-based not-for-profit company, at least 5,139 civilians were killed in Gaza in 25 days in October of 2023, which is "nearly four times more civilians reported killed in a single month than in any conflict" the firm has documented since its inception in 2014.

In October 2023 alone, Airwars reported at least 65 instances in which at least 20 civilians were killed, significantly tripling the amount of such high-fatality episodes documented by Airwars in any similar time period.

Over 25 days, Airwars said at least 1,900 children were killed by Israeli military action in Gaza, which is roughly seven times greater than the tracking firm's previous deadliest month for children.

The not-for-profit highlighted how Palestinian families were killed in record numbers, including in their homes. "More than nine out of ten women and children were killed in residential buildings. In more than 95 percent of all cases where a woman was killed, at least one child was also killed."

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Prospects of Gaza ceasefire along with

Israel's expansionist agenda

In an interview for Al Mayadeen, Political Science and International Affairs Professor William Lawrence highlighted the challenges facing a Gaza ceasefire deal, pointing to the strong influence of pro-settler, expansionist figures within US administrations, particularly under Trump, which bolsters Israel's territorial ambitions in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria.

Lawrence warned that this "means any peace is going to be on Israel's terms and at the detriment of the Palestinian cause." While a second ceasefire seems closer than before, he noted that "the final disposition of Israeli troops is probably the main sticking point," as Israel seeks to maintain positionality

https://youtu.be/aXueWDs_bew?feature=shared